Balls to attend

*Knock, Knock*

"Young Miss, your dresses have arrived" I heard someone say from outside my door, pulling my attention away from the books I was revising for class.

-The subject called Maths has certainly changed from the past-

Standing up from my seat, I called her in

"Come in". A young woman dressed in a black maid outfit came in with different coloured boxes stacked together. She looked petite with her hair cut in a bob style.

"Good Morning Young Miss, I have been told to inform you that the banquet will begin in the evening and the stylists will be arriving in a few hours" She voiced out with her face stretched into a smile while staying still by the door.

"Put them on my bed" I answered

"Also, your order has been passed down"

"That's good to hear. You can leave"

-At least they fulfil their promises-

"Yes, Young Miss" She walked out silently shutting the door.

Sighing, I walked towards the boxes', reaching out to open them, I saw the different makes of gowns. The designs and colours used told me of the wonderful taste the person that chose the dresses had.

-I thought he meant one-

The atmosphere of the house made me recall the times I had prepared for balls in my world, except this was much less extravagant. Balls in my world had always been done with a lot of importance. It especially made me look back on my first ball. The ball I was supposed to be introduced as the crown princess to the crown prince.

I had dreamed about our first dance the night before and how he would hold me and tell me that he had fallen for me at first sight. The same delusions my current Character had. It had been so hard for me to compose myself and calm my heartbeat.

I may have been unloved, but to not lower or affect our family reputation, I was given dresses designed by the best dressmakers to wear to that event. It was the first time I had been pampered by the maids.

They had been especially kind to me. But I wasn't suspicious as I had assumed that they finally realized that I was to be their next Queen, so they wanted to get my favour. But Zinnia wasn't so convinced, she had warned me to keep an eye out, that she felt in her gut that something was wrong, but I convinced and told her not to worry.

I was blinded by the attention everyone gave to me that I failed to see the dagger behind their actions or question why they were only starting to be nice to me even after my engagement had been announced a long time ago.

I was bathed with the most expensive oils, dried down and attended with care. Then I was dressed in the gown I had chosen of my own free will, or at least I thought I had.

"You will be the most beautiful woman in the ball My lady, The prince will fall in love with you immediately" The maids giggled around me as they applied my makeup, and I agreed because for the first time in a long time I had looked in the mirror and had thought myself to be Beautiful. But then I saw a worried look on Zinnia face through her reflection in the mirror and wanted to turn to ask her what was wrong.

-Did she not find the dress beautiful?-

"My Lady we must hurry down otherwise we will be late" The head maid had said stepping into the room with her hands folded in front of her.

"Yes, Of course"

"I will ask her later" I had thought.

As I walked towards the door, I noticed that Zinnia wasn't immediately following after me

"Zinnia?" I had questioned out

"My Lady, Zinnia is not allowed into the castle as her level isn't high enough"

"But why is that, She is my personal maid" I refuted even with the ever-growing frown on her face.

-I needed Z by my side on my special day-

"It is the rules. My lady" She challenged with the sides of her lips pulled down

"But…" I stammered out, hesitant to argue out that I had never heard such a rule.

"We don't want the Duke and Duchess to be angry, Now do we" She had cut me short

"No" I wanted them to smile at me.

-Even when I had never heard of that rule, I still agreed, thinking it was probably a new one I hadn't heard of which wouldn't be surprising with what little information I was allowed-

"Now come along My Lady, we are getting late" She turned her back against me

-I guess I will just have to tell her all about it when I come back-

"Don't worry Z, I will tell you all about it" I had glanced her way.

Well, long story short, Zinnia gut instinct was right. It turns out I was tricked into wearing the same dress as Sophia. I was accused of copying her outfit to insult her, even when I was the one that ended up being insulted. No one had believed me. It was also the first time I had been hit by my mother.

"Shameful" She had called me. I never got to dance with the prince, and I was forced back home. And as I had stepped out the ballroom doors, I had turned to see the crown prince dancing with Sophia. They were all smiles with their arms around each other.

I had waited to see at least one person stand up to say it was wrong because it was. The prince should not have danced with her. It went against the tradition of the Winterion Empire. But nobody said anything, instead, they had cackled and praised them, saying what a lovely couple they were.

I had come back to the mansion with my eyes puffed out, my face red and flowing with tears, with no further thought I had rushed into Zinnia arms. Feeling her hand undo my hair accompanied by little pats on my back.

All in all, I have had bad memories with any kind of banquet or balls except for a select few.

"Let's hope this one is different," I thought while trying to decide which dress I would be wearing.

-If it's not, then I will just have to make it so-

*Behind The scenes*

Oh, I am so excited for today. I can't wait for the scene he dances with me.

Ah, Teirrah is going to be so jealous and mad. I Cannot wait for her to crack.

Everyone knows that to be a proper Heroine you need a Villainess to make you shine, so I needed her to assume her role. But I wasn't worried, She assured me she would.

"I want a more attention-grabbing gown. I want it to show my curves but still make me look cute" I giggled out

"Is this acceptable Young Miss" A Maid fidgeted as she pointed out a pink gown that had its back covered with a transparent material.

"Yes. That would do perfectly" I grinned.